Running costs 'dictate car-buying'
Updated on 10 November 2008
Consumers have changed their car-buying decisions dramatically over the last six months, according to a poll.
It is now running costs rather than reliability which are the most important thing for people buying vehicles, the survey published by AA Personal Loans found.
In March 2008, only 28% felt fuel economy was important but six months on this figure has risen to 45%, while the number seeing reliability as important has fallen from 33% to 24%.
The second most-important reason for changing cars now is that the current model is too old and needs replacing.
Reliability is now in third place in the reasons-to-buy table. The fourth reason is the need of a new car to make longer journeys followed by desire to buy a "green car".
The AA/Populus survey was based on responses from nearly 8,000 AA members.
AA Personal Loans chief executive Mark Huggins said: "Despite falling petrol costs, our first car purchase index shows that the current financial climate is making people reconsider their options when buying a car, and looking for something cheaper to run is a good way for a family to economise."
AA president Edmund King said: "With the recession biting, the car industry is facing tough times, which is already having a big impact on car sales. This index sets a useful benchmark for predicting future consumer car-buying behaviour."
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